Niels Swinkels
Native Dutchman Niels Swinkels is a freelance journalist, musicologist, and sound engineer. Before moving to San Francisco, he was the arts editor and senior classical music/opera critic for Brabants Dagblad, a regional daily newspaper in the Netherlands. As a freelance writer and sound engineer, he currently works for San Francisco Opera, KALW Local Public Radio, Elevation Online, Earprint Productions, and others.
Articles by this Author
Early Music/Baroque REVIEW
February 24, 2015
Jordi Savall continues his magical odyssey through the musical world of historical Istanbul.
More about Cal Performances »Chamber Orchestra/Orchestra REVIEW
February 19, 2015
On its U.S. tour, the orchestra delivered unequivocal proof that it is a fantastic ensemble, and that Yannick Nézet-Séguin is a phenomenal conductor.
More about San Francisco Symphony »Early Music/Baroque REVIEW
February 10, 2015
Bach's musical cousins got a highly satisfactory hearing from the historical performance specialists.
More about Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra »Chamber Orchestra/Orchestra REVIEW
February 3, 2015
Paul Goodwin's conducting debut with S.F. Symphony was welcome, if belated, while soprano Lydia Teuscher stole the show.
More about San Francisco Symphony »Opera REVIEW
January 29, 2015
ABS did a terrific job with the most winning of Handel’s theater works, introducing a fine soprano in the process.
More about American Bach Soloists »Recital REVIEW
January 18, 2015
Warm and fuzzy it wasn't, but Gidon Kremer's traversal of two pieces by Soviet composer Mieczysław Weinberg were worth the price of admission.
More about Cal Performances »Choral REVIEW
December 14, 2014
With Artistic Director Magen Solomon as tour guide, the S.F. Choral Artists took their audiences on an unusual holiday trip around the world.
More about San Francisco Choral Artists »Chamber Orchestra/Orchestra REVIEW
December 9, 2014
With all due respect to the fine orchestra and lauded guest soloists, it was the voices of the Philharmonia Baroque Chorale that made their “Joyous Christmas” concert an evening to remember.
More about Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra »Choral REVIEW
November 25, 2014
Three world premieres are featured in Volti's concert "Want Me: Songs of Longing and Desire" at the visually arresting St. Gregory of Nyssa's Church.
More about Volti »Chamber Orchestra/Orchestra REVIEW
November 9, 2014
The San Francisco Wind Ensemble showed maturity beyond its years in a performance of Ferrer Ferrán's, Symphony No. 4, “El Coloso.” Read the review. More about San Francisco Wind Ensemble »
Early Music/Baroque REVIEW
November 10, 2014
There was so much energy and uplift to the Philharmonia Baroqueʼs concert with countertenor Andreas Scholl, it felt like a party.
More about Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra »Opera REVIEW
November 10, 2014
Mezzo-soprano Karine Deshayes makes a strong impression in S.F. Operaʼs revival of Rossiniʼs La Cenerentola.
More about San Francisco Opera »Choral REVIEW
October 21, 2014
With the appointment of Dr. Magen Solomon as its new Artistic Director last June, the San Francisco Bach Choir has entered a new era.
More about San Francisco Bach Choir »Chamber Orchestra/Orchestra REVIEW
October 15, 2014
The London Philharmonic comes to town for two concerts as part of the San Francisco Symphony’s Great Performers Series, with Vladimir Jurowski conducting.
More about San Francisco Symphony »Chamber Orchestra/Orchestra REVIEW
October 10, 2014
Cellist Steven Isserlis adds luster to Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra’s first concert of its 34th season, at SFJAZZ.
More about Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra »Chamber Orchestra/Orchestra REVIEW
September 30, 2014
If Sunday’s season opener is any indication of the care and dedication with which each Marin Symphony program will be presented, fans of the orchestra have a lot to look forward to.
More about Marin Symphony »Chamber Orchestra/Orchestra REVIEW
September 5, 2014
Playing scores by beloved French and Russian composers, the S.F. Symphony launches its new season, its 20th with the still-sprightly Michael Tilson Thomas.
More about San Francisco Symphony »Chamber Music REVIEW
August 17, 2014
Considerable talent and a magnetic stage presence are but two of the gifts of an ad hoc musical duo, Nathan Chan and Audrey Vardanega.
More about Old First Concerts »Choral REVIEW
August 8, 2014
The Bay Area was served a generous helping of Russian vocal music last week during the West Coast’s first Russian Choral Festival.
More »Opera REVIEW
August 3, 2014
The West Edge Opera’s creative team managed to create a functional, and most of all intimate performance space for its three operas this season, notably in Jake Heggie’s The End of the Affair.
More about West Edge Opera »